The Charlottesville 29

If there were just 29 restaurants in Charlottesville, what would be the ideal 29?

Tag: Monsoon Siam

11/24/2023

Five Finds on Friday: Lora Henderson Smith

It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for a reader selected at random to participate in Five Finds on Friday, and, from the hundreds of entrants, this year’s winner is Dr. Lora Henderson Smith. An Assistant Professor at UVa’s School of Education and Human Development, Smith came to Charlottesville a decade ago as a grad student and has been on the hunt for delicious and affordable food ever since. Now with a three year old daughter, it’s often takeout, but she still enjoys seeking out great food around town. Her picks in the order she discovered them:

1) Hibachi Combination Chicken and Shrimp from Kabuto. “Bonus points for the super reasonably priced lunch special.”

2) Kao Pad Ka Pow with Chicken from Monsoon Siam. “It’s not on their menu any more, but occasionally they’ll still make it. I can always get it at Pineapples.”

3) Shrimp Casserole Platter from Sultan Kebab. “My husband first introduced me to this dish. Our household loves it.”

4) Hands On Breakfast with Chicken from Guajiros. “The cilantro aioli is to die for. I think this is currently my favorite meal in Charlottesville.”

5) “Burfday Muun Rox” Cake Tin from Caked Up Cville. “Because, just one cupcake isn’t enough, but a dozen is too much for my family of 3. The cake tins are perfect.”

 

 

 

03/20/2020

Five Finds on Friday: Margo Bulka

Margo

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from an unsung hero of the COVID-19 crisis, WillowTree Principal Product Strategist Margo Bulka, who single-handedly designed and built Charlottesville’s best resource for responding to it: supportcville.com. There, you can find how to help and how to get help. In maintaing the site, Bulka is grateful for Jordy Yager, who oversees the site’s content, and WillowTree, for its great support of her efforts. In Bulka’s picks, she celebrates restaurants offering takeout as a way to try to survive this crisis:

1) The Bill at Brazos Tacos. “‘Mashed potatoes on a taco?’ My skeptical out of town visitors will always raise an eyebrow. ‘Just trust me.’ With potatoes and mushrooms smothered in zingy honey jefe topped with cilantro, The Bill has the natural joy of a taco but with a kick. Unexpected but amazing.” (UPDATE: Brazos is closed indefinitely.)

2) Shaved Salad at Oakhart Social. “Around an evening dinner table, a friend shared a rumor about this salad – supposedly, it was once voted the best in the world. The whole world? Crisp fresh fennel, sweet crunch of fresh apple, parmesan dressing. Heavenly. Pass it on.” Order it for curbside pick-up here. 

3) Margarita D.O.C. at Lampo. “I can’t tiptoe around it. Picking a favorite on the Lampo menu is next to impossible (the Hellboy, the Abruzzo . . . the Cavoletti Di Bruxelles) but the Margarita D.O.C. wins the crown. The simplicity of fresh, bubbling mozzarella di bufala after a trip inside the wood-fired oven makes it unforgettable.” Order it for curbside pick-up here.

4) Kao Soi at Monsoon Siam. “Curry, brothy, noodle-y goodness topped with crispy egg noodles and cilantro. A remarkable symphony of savory and sweet against a soft crunch. What is even happening in that bowl? Unclear, but it’s fantastic.” Order it for curbside pick-up or delivery here.

5) Lemon Ricotta Pancakes at MarieBette. “You’ll have to zoom in early on Saturday mornings to beat the line, but the weekend alarm is worth it. I love this stack of fluffy pancakes followed by the morning nap that often ensues.” Call (434) 529-6118 to order Buttermilk Pancakes from MarieBette’s new takeout menu here.

brazos

09/20/2019

Five Finds on Friday: Bo Stockton

Stockton

Stockton’s son.

Today’s Five Finds on Friday come from Bo Stockton, new owner of Michael’s Bistro and Tap House. A longtime manager of Charlottesville restaurants, Stockton says the biggest thing he has learned is that the keys to a restaurant’s success are “good food and good service at a quality price.” With an institution like Michael’s, Stockton is treading slowly with changes, but will debut a new brunch menu this weekend, and has started adding dinner items too. Stockton’s picks:

1) Hellboy Pizza at Lampo. “When I’m feeling down and need a pick-me-up, I remember how April revived the Ninja Turtles . . . pizza. Master Splinter says Hellboy and then Mitchell Shredders the cheese. A must in Cville.”

2) Breakfast BBQ at Blue Moon Diner. “The fact that they are back makes me want to dance. I have had everything from business meetings to dates to hangover cures feasting on their brunch menu. For me, always the pulled pork over English muffins with onion straws. So happy they re-opened.”

3) English Muffins at Belle. “This spot is new to Belmont but already feels like home. Grab a cup of Joe and get an English muffin made in house. How can you go wrong? I like egg and cheese on mine. They make whatever, and have a perfect place for the family.”

4) Fresh Rolls at Monsoon Siam. “If you haven’t had the fresh rolls to start and followed them with house hot anything, then you haven’t lived. Hands down my go to jiggity jam. Tell them Bo sent you if you want it hot.”

5) Fried Chicken from Brown’s. “So many arguments over the ‘best fried chicken’ in Cville. Stop arguing, head to Brown’s. Crispy, greasy, hearty and everything else but healthy. Yum.”

Hellboy

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